CBSE

Class 09 English Language and Literature

Sample Paper 01 (2019-20)

Maximum Marks: 80
Time Allowed: 3 hours

General Instructions:

i. This paper is divided into three sections: A, B and C. All questions are compulsory.
ii. Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary.
Read these instructions very carefully and follow them.
iii. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

Section A

1. Read the passages given below and answer the questions that follow
them: (8 marks)
Hibernation is one of the main adaptations that allow certain northern animals to
survive long, cold winters. Hibernation is like a very deep sleep that allows animals to
save their energy when there is little or no food available. The body functions of true
hibernators go through several changes while they are in hibernation.
Body temperature drops and the heart rate slows down. For example, a hibernating
woodchuck’s body temperature drops by more than 30 degrees Celsius and its heart
rate slows down from 80 to 4 beats per minute! Other true hibernators include the
jumping mouse, little brown bat, eastern chipmunk, and several ground squirrels.
Other animals such as the skunk and racoon are not considered true hibernators, as
they wake up in winter to feed and their body functions do not change as much.
Since they only sleep for a little bit at a time, the term ‘dormancy’ or light sleeping’ is
used to describe their behaviour.
The largest animals to hibernate are bears. Their heart rate may slow down from a
usual 40-50 beats per minute to 8-12 beats per minute, but their body temperature
changes very little, so they are able to wake up quickly.
Hibernating animals have a special substance in the blood called hibernation

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 inducement trigger, or HIT. This substance becomes active in the fall when the days
become cooler and shorter. When HIT becomes active, the animals start preparing for
winter.
Some animals store food so that they can eat when they wake up and some animals
eat a lot in late summer and fall to add excess fat to their bodies.
This fat keeps them warmer and acts as a source of energy while they are sleeping.
Some animals also make changes to the places where they will sleep. They add leaves
and grasses to keep themselves warm.

i. Why do animals hibernate?

ii. The body functions of true hibernators go through no changes while they are in
hibernation (True/False)
iii. Which of the following is not a true hibernating animal?
(a) Woodchuck
(b) Jumping mouse
(c) Skunk
(d) Little brown bat
iv. What is full form of HIT?
v. When do animals start preparing for hibernation?
(a) When days become cooler and shorter
(b) When days become hot and humid
(c) When they have stored planty of food
(d) When tey want to take rest
vi. _________ is a special substance in the blood of hibernating animals.
vii. What is the term ‘dormancy’ used for?
viii. During hibernation, the heartbeat of the bear goes down but body temperature
doesn't change much (True/False)

2. Read the passage carefully and answer the following questions carefully: (12
marks)
The growth of industry is an important feature of civilisation. But industrial growth is
not an unmixed blessing. It has polluted the atmosphere, it has disturbed the
ecological balance, it has created tense situations in human relations and it has posed
a serious threat to plants, trees, greenery, and wildlife in the jungle.

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Animals form an important part of jungle life. The deer, elephants, lions, tigers,
leopards, birds and other beasts indicate the living existence of wildlife. In the course
of time, many species of this wildlife have become extinct because they could not face
the grim struggle for survival as they were unfit in the process of survival of the
fittest. It is a matter of deep concern that some of the rare animal species are still
being poached. We must genuinely feel the need to protect wild animals. Now we are
better civilised than the past when we used to kill animals for food because we used
to live on them. Now, we kill animals for pleasure.
Man is a symbol of love, kindness, compassion, and nobleness. He has already crossed
the jungle stage of civilisation. He must now feel that if he wants to establish God's
kingdom on this planet, he must first sow the seeds of love, mercy, and compassion in
the soil of this earth. In this process, he should love not only his fellow human beings
but also birds and beasts. He must protect them. Coleridge, the great romantic poet,
has beautifully said, that God loves those who first love His creatures. This idea has
also been expressed by Coleridge in his long poem, The Ancient Mariner.

On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions
briefly: (12×1=12)

Answer briefly: (2x4 = 8)

a. Why are animals becoming extinct?

b. How is industrial growth a mixed blessing?
c. Why we should protect wildlife?
d. How can man establish God’s kingdom on this planet?

Vocabulary: (1x4 = 4)

i. The word similar in meaning to ‘blessing’ is ...........

a. situation
b. case
c. opportunity
d. boon
ii. Identify the word which means the same as beasts.
a. plants

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 b. flora
c. decent
d. animals
iii. Identify the word which is the opposite of ‘compassion'.
a. kindness
b. cruelty
c. sympathy
d. nobleness
iv. The noun form of the word ‘express’ is...
a. expression
b. expressive
c. express
d. expressively
Section B

3. Write an article on War on Black Money in India, in 10-150 words. (8 Marks)

OR

You recently visited the 24th Crafts Mela at Bareilly. U.P. It was Mini India assembled
at one place. Make a diary entry of what you saw and experienced there, not more
than 100-150 words.

4. Write a story in 150-200 words from the outline given below: (10 Marks)

"The date of examination was declared _I was horrified_My parents helped me

_reached the examination centre_examination commenced_took a sigh of relief_stood
first in the class.

OR

Mahesh wrote only a few lines and couldn't complete the story he wanted to write.
Taking help from the beginning Mahesh made, develop the story in about 150-200
words.
A woodcutter was chopping down trees on the bank of a river. His hands were so
much wet with his sweat that he lost his grip......

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5. Fill in the blanks by choosing the most appropriate words from the given options
: (any four) (1×4=4)

He was happy and contented, (i) ________ he was poor. He never showed signs of
frustration, (ii) _________ his friends who were rich were always in distress. (iii)
________ the problems he had to face, he remained calm and composed. (iv) _________
people liked his company. (v) ________ he went, he spread happiness.

i. (a) though (b) although (c) when

ii. (a) while (b) when (c) through
iii. (a) In spite of (b) Instead of (c) Even though
iv. (a) So (b) Still (c) Nevertheless
v. (a) Wherever (b) Whenever (c) Whichever

6. There is one error in each line. Identify the wrong word and write it with the
correction in the spaces given. (4 marks)

incorrect correct

Among our discoveries for Mars, e.g. for about

one stands out over all others; (a) ............ ............

the possible present of liquid water (b) ............ ............

on Mars, either at its ancient past (c) ............ .............

or preserved in the subsurface today

water is the key because almost

everywhere we found water on Earth, (d) ........... .............

we find life.

7. Rearrange the following to create meaningful sentences : (do any four) (1×4=4)

a. stretch/ from/ Kashmir to Assam/ two thousand miles/ they/ for

b. highest/ world’s/ some of/ the/ peaks/ Himalayas/ in/ the/ are
c. Mount Everest/ highest/ peak/ the/ is
d. believer/ he/ truth/ non-violence/ was/ and/ of

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 e. concerned/ the poor/ untouchable/ was/ and/ he/ for
Section C

8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. [4x1 = 4
marks]
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

a. Where did the road diverge?

b. How many roads were there before the speaker?
c. Write the noun form of ‘diverge’.
d. What was the speaker looking for in one path?

OR

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. [4x1 = 4
marks]
The previous year, Albert’s parents had moved to Milan, and left their son with
relatives.
After prolonged discussion, Einstein got his wish to continue his education in German-
speaking Switzerland, in a city which was more liberal than Munich.
Einstein was highly gifted in mathematics and interested in physics, and after
finishing school, he decided to study at a university in Zurich.
But science wasn’t the only thing that appealed to the dashing young man with the
walrus moustache.

a. Where did Einstein want to continue his education?

b. What were his favourite subjects?
c. Write the word from the above passage which is opposite in meaning to short.
d. Where did Albert decide to study after school?
9. Answer any five of the following questions in 30-40 words each: (10 Marks)

a. How did Evelyn’s deafness come to light?

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 b. When did the doctor feel like a foolish, weak person? Why? Write your answer in
the context of The Snake and the Mirror.

c. Why do countries engage in wars and to what effect? Write your answer in the
context of poem No Men Are Foreign.

d. What type of life did Mahendra lead?

e. Why does Zan break down in tears after the fire?

f. How did Sergei react when the beggar lied about his identity?

10. Can the company of an animal give undiluted pleasure to a human being? Give some
examples from the story. (8 Marks)

OR

Holy rivers are polluted by human beings. What according to you pollutes a holy
river? Comment with reference to Bagmati river in Kathmandu.

11. When the child got lost in the fair a stranger helped him and tried to solve his
problem, What do you feel about the behaviour of the stranger? (8 Marks)

OR

Write a character-sketch of Behrman.

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 CBSE Class 09 English Language and Literature
Sample Paper 01 (2019-20)

Solution
Section A

1. i. Animals hibernate to survive cold/harsh winters.

ii. False
iii. Skunk
iv. Hibernation Inducement Trigger
v. When days become cooler and shorter
vi. Hibernating inducement trigger
vii. The term 'dormancy’ is used to describe the behaviour of hibernating animals.
viii. True

2. Answer briefly:

a. In the course of time, many species of wildlife have become extinct because they
could not face the grim struggle for survival as they were unfit in the process of
the survival of the fittest.
b. The growth of the industry is an important feature of civilization, but it has
polluted the environment, disturbed the ecological balance and posed a serious
threat to plants, trees, greenery, and wildlife in the jungle.
c. We should genuinely feel the need to protect wild animals. Now we are better
civilized than the past when we used to kill animals for food and lived on them.
Now we should stop killing animals for pleasure.
d. Man is the symbol of love, kindness, compassion and nobleness. To establish God’s
kingdom on this planet he should love not only his fellow human beings but also
birds and beasts by protecting them from all danger.

Vocabulary:

i. (d) boon
ii. (d) animals
iii. (b) cruelty

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 iv. (a) expression
Section B

3. War on Black Money in India

More smoke than light has been generated by the current outcry on black money.
People think that there is a lot of money out there in Swiss banks. Black money does
not remain black, money forever. A lot of foreign funds and investments come back to
India as white money. Income generated through illegal activities is the basis for
generating black money. Global terror business, drugs, arms dealing, real estate,
Hawala transactions, to name just a few, create black money. The G20 summit in
London gave a clear message. The era of banking secrecy is over. India is a strong
supporter of this move. The success in getting black money depends on international
actions and cooperation among nations. Rather than looking for the foreign hand, the
battle against black money must be waged at home. Unless black money is generated
at home, unaccounted money can’t be transferred abroad. Centre and states need to
work on reforms. Tax rates need to be moderate. The laws must be simple. There
should be no temptation to evade.

OR

New Delhi
20th March, 20XX
Monday, 8:00 pm
Dear Diary,
The Crafts Mela at Bareilly was much more impressive and grand than what I had
imagined. This year the ‘Theme State’ was Rajasthan. The whole campus was painted
with the visuals of Ranthambore, Chittor, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer. It was Mini India
assembled on a few hundred acres of land. All the awarded artisans from different
states had set up their workshops and stalls there. Many countries, more particularly
Pakistan, Nepal, and Afghanistan gave it an international look. Most of the stalls also
had craftsmen who gave live demos of how various products were made. I was
astounded at the skills of these people. At the same time, I felt sorry that most of the
time their skills were going unnoticed. For example, while Gujarat state excelled in

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 various mirror work products, the one from Kerala showcased many products made
from the leaves of coconut trees. Bangles, jewellery decoration pieces, wall-hangings,
purses, shoes, sarees, garments, and cosmetics found thousands of buyers. Every
evening there were cultural shows at the ‘Chaupal’ and the ‘Rangmanch’. The ‘Food
Court’ provided all kinds of delicacies for food-lovers. Basically, it was India in all its
colours, tastes and sounds scattered on the Aravalli hills. It was a wonderful
experience.
Dinesh

4. Motivation: An Encouraging Medicine

Generally, with the examination round the corner, the stress level of both the wards
and the parents are quite high and sometimes, it reaches the breaking point. The
same thing happened to me but the picture was different for my parents. The date of
my board examination of Class X was declared. I was petrified to think of the board
examination. Just like other students of my class, it was also my first experience of
appearing in the board exam. But I am blessed with such supportive parents who not
only counselled me but also helped me in preparing for the exams in the right way.
They knew my capability and didn't burden me with their unrealistic expectations,
nor did they draw unnecessary comparisons with other children. Rather they helped
me out to make a schedule for my studies and I followed it seriously. My father helped
me in my studies also. My mother took care of my diet and other chores. All that care
and my proper preparation made me feel less stressed. The day of my first exam
came. It was my exam in English. I reached the examination centre twenty minutes
before the scheduled time. I checked my roll number and room number on the
board placed there at the entrance of my centre. I reached my class and after getting
settled on my seat, I prayed to God. All other students were revising from their books,
that thing made me more nervous Then, the bell rang. Papers were distributed by the
invigilator. As soon as I saw the question paper, my joy knew no boundaries because
the paper seemed very easy to me as I had practised the syllabus a lot. It brought back
my confidence. I came out of the centre with joy and I saw my father was waiting for
me outside the centre. Same happened in all the exams. After my exams wind-up, I
took a sigh of relief. The time for the result arrived and again, that nerve of stress
came to me like that on the first day of exam. But I overcame and soon I checked my

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 result I jumped in high spirit as I stood first in my school. All that happened by the
dint of my hard work and due to the support and encouragement of my parents.

OR

Honesty Pays in the Long Run

A woodcutter was chopping down trees on the bank of a river. His hands were so
much wet with his sweat that he lost his grip over the axe. It slipped away from his
hands and fell down into the river. The poor man couldn't even swim. He thought that
his axe was lost forever. He was very sad at his misfortune and started sobbing and
weeping. Suddenly there was a flash of light. The God of the Forests appeared before
him. The woodcutter explained what had happened. He consoled him. "Don't you
worry. I'll get back your axe for you", said the God of Forests, Having said these
words, he dived into the river. After a few moments, he came out with an axe. It was
made of gold. Is this yours? he asked. The woodcutter only said No. A few seconds
later he came out of the river with another axe. It was made of silver. No, no, sir, this
is not mine, said the woodcutter. He dived again and came out with the third axe. The
woodcutter cried loudly looking at the axe Yes, yes, it's mine-the woodcutter's axe
with an iron blade. The God of Forests was impressed with the woodcutter's
honesty."Keep all these axes as a present from me. " The God uttered these world and
disappeared. In the end, woodcutter has all three axes because of this honest act. The
woodcutter felt glad that he found his axe and a reward too. He finished his work and
went home. He then told his wife and children the whole story what happened. If he
would have lied to the God of the forest then he would have taken all the axes from
him. but because of his honesty, he got all the axes. otherwise, he would have only
one of the axes or have nothing. that is why it is said that honesty pays in the long
run.
5. i. though
ii. while
iii. In spite of
iv. So
v. Wherever
6.

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 incorrect correct

(a) over above

(b) present presence

(c) at in

(d) found find

7. a. They stretch for two thousand miles from Kashmir to Assam.

b. Some of the world’s highest peaks are in the Himalayas.
c. Mount Everest is the highest peak.
d. He was a believer of truth and non-violence.
e. He was concerned for the poor and untouchables.
Section C
8. a. The road diverged in the old forest.
b. There were two roads before the speaker.
c. Noun form of ‘diverge' is Divergence.
d. The speaker was trying to find out as far as possible the final destination of the
two roads.

OR

a. Einstein wanted to continue his education in German-speaking Switzerland.

b. Mathematics and Physics were his favourite subjects.
c. Prolonged is opposite of short in the passage.
d. After school, Albert decided to study at a university in Zurich.
9. Answer any five of the following questions in 30-40 words each:
a. At the age of 8 when her name was announced to play on piano, she did not
respond. At the age of 11, her marks deteriorated. The headmistress urged her
parents to take her to a specialist and her hearing impairment was discovered.
b. When the snake reached his shoulder and coiled itself around his arm, the doctor
lost all arrogance and was reminded of the existence of God. Face to face with
death, he realized what a weak and foolish man he was. When he recalled that
there were no medicines in his room to cure him of a snake-bite, he humbly and
meekly regarded himself to be a stupid and helpless person.
c. Vested interests of the power-hungry people instigate the common man to hate

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 fellow-beings living in different parts of the world. This narrow approach leads to
wars and results in bloodshed and irreparable loss of innocent lives. The war also
causes irreparable damage to the earth’s environment by polluting it with dust,
debris and smoke caused by war weapons.
d. Mahendra was a simple man with simple needs. He was a junior supervisor in a
firm which offered to hire supervisors at construction sites like factories, bridges,
dams etc. His work involved moving from one site to another as per the orders by
his head office and keeping an eye on the activities at the worksite. He was a
devoted employee and a kind master. He was always accompanied by his cook
Iswaran who served him faithfully.
e. Zan breaks down in tears after the fire because he comes to an overwhelming
realisation of the great losses he has suffered. His old school, his friends, his house
and his cat–all have been lost. The tears are an emotional outburst of a teenager
who is struggling with adjustment issues.
f. Sergei became very angry when beggar told his false identity. He removed his torn
clothes with the expressions of rage and scolded him for being a liar and a fraud.
He threatened to call the police as well.
10. Yes, the company of an animal can give pure pleasure to a human being. The bond of
love between man and animal is better than that between man and man. Human
beings are selfish and their love is seldom pure and selfless. On the other hand, an
animal’s love is pure and pious. Like human beings, animals too need love and
respond to that love. In the story 'The Bond of Love', the author’s wife loves a pet
bear. He too responds to that love. She plays with him, fondles and loves him. When
the bear is sent to the zoo, she becomes inconsolable. She refuses to take food. She
feels sad and depressed. She misses Bruno a lot. She becomes anxious about Bruno
and reveals her wish to see him. On the other hand, the bear also does not like his
separation from her. He refuses to take food in the zoo. When she goes to meet him at
the zoo, he shouts with pleasure. In the end, she brings him back from the zoo. Thus,
she finds that the company of an animal gives undiluted pleasure to a human being.

OR

Holy rivers are more polluted than common rivers. It is not good to pollute the holy
rivers in name of faith and religion. These are polluted by human beings as the

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 corpses are cremated on their banks. People take bath into there as it is considered
the ultimate ‘Punya’. Children and animals take bath in these and devotees throw
flowers and used garlands in it. Idols of deities and ash of the incense sticks are
immersed int the water which is not good for the holy rivers. All these activities
pollute the river Bagmati. It is the only holy river in Kathmandu, which is also
polluted like holy rivers of India. It is a superstitious belief that cremation on the side
of the holy river is the way for salvation. It is continuously polluted by throwing
religious waste in it. People must be made aware to keep these rivers free from
pollution. The government must also take some strict steps to save these holy rivers.
There must be a blanket ban on cremation or flowing dead bodies in these rivers.
11. A kind-hearted man lifted him up. The man had a soft corner for the child. He saved
the child from being trampled under the feet. He loved children very much. He lifted
the lost child in his lap and offered him all those things which the child desired to
have earlier. He took him to the roundabout and asked his willingness for a ride on
the horse. He tried to make the lost child happy. With his kind behaviour, the stranger
proved that everybody has immense love for children.

OR

Behrman was a noble-hearted, mature old man, a man of few words and a true artist
who painted till last breathe of his life and that too for a noble cause. He had a life-
long dream to paint a masterpiece. But he could not succeed in this regard. He was a
sixty-year-old painter, who lived on the ground floor of the same building. When Sue
informed him about Johnsy’s condition and misconception about the Last Leaf, he
became worried. He called Johnsy stupid and foolish. He visited Johnsy to see her
condition. Johnsy was sleeping. He noticed the only leaf on the creeper. He did not say
anything and went to his room. He was a kind person. He painted a leaf in the icy-cold
night. It was raining heavily. His clothes and shoes got wet. He was shivering with the
cold that night. Eventually, he suffered from pneumonia which was at the incurable
stage and finally scummed to death after two days. He sacrificed his life to save
Johnsy’s life.

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